In an interview with TV2000, a religious channel broadcast in Italy, Archbishop Angelo Becciu, who used to be the Vatican ambassador to Cuba, called Pope Francis "a good student" regarding his efforts to learn English ahead of his trip to the U.S.

"He saw speeches one by one, prepared them, evaluated, discussed, corrected, taken several times," said Becciu. "Even in English classes he was dedicated and meticulous."

by Benjamin.G.Candea@abc.com9/19/2015 1:52:31 PM

From ABC News' Devin Dwyer:

On Wednesday, Pope Francis will become the third pope in history to visit the White House.

Here's what you need to know about the first two visits according to the White House Historical Association, prepared at the request of the White House Correspondents’ Association.

October 6, 1979: Pope John Paul II was greeted at the White House by President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter. “It gives me great joy to be the first Pope in history to come to the capital of this nation, and I thank almighty God for this blessing," the Pope said. He spent about 3 hours at the White House.

April 16, 2008: Pope Benedict XVI arrived at the White House on his 81st birthday. About 13,500 guests were at the arrival ceremony. Once inside, President George W. Bush offered the Pope cake and the two went to a private meeting in the Oval Office.

ABC NewsPope Francis arrived in Havana, Cuba, this afternoon, beginning his 10-day visit to Cuba and the United States.He is the third pontiff to visit Cuba in the last 17 years.Get real-time updates as this story unfolds. To start, just "star" this story in ABC News' phone app. Download ABC News for...